Chief Executive Officer

Monterey Bay Aquarium•Monterey, CA

7d•$525,000 - $625,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is poised and ready, building on its legacy of fearless innovation and leadership, to create exceptional experiences that inspire, connect, and promote action for ocean conservation. With a steadfast commitment to the health of the Earth’s ocean and the communities that depend on it, the Aquarium is seeking a dynamic and visionary CEO to lead the organization into its next phase of growth and impact, charting a course forward to be ever more effective while always centering a commitment to its mission, vision, and values. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is unlike any other aquarium in the world and has a unique opportunity to advance ocean conservation under the leadership of its next CEO. Since opening 40 years ago, the Monterey Bay Aquarium has helped people experience and appreciate the ocean, deepening their understanding of its complex and fragile nature and taking action to protect its future. Healthy ocean ecosystems are critical to enabling life on Earth to exist, and our very survival depends on them. There is much to celebrate in the progress the Monterey Bay Aquarium has made over the past decades, but winning the race to slow the pace of climate change and human impact on the ocean demands more of all of us. This is an opportunity to step up. Using the trusted voice and strong brand they have built over time, the Monterey Bay Aquarium will harness its momentum to transform public understanding and action. Under Julie Packard’s leadership since its founding, the Monterey Bay Aquarium has accomplished extraordinary programmatic, organizational, and scientific growth and achievement. The Aquarium has a remarkable heritage and, at the same time, the opportunity for future impact is significant and the ocean’s need for a bold champion has never been greater. The next CEO will have the opportunity to lead the Aquarium forward as it charts a course through this historic period of change and opportunity, and to lead into the next frontier of innovation for the future of the ocean. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is an internationally recognized, mission-driven organization dedicated to advancing ocean conservation on a global scale. The Aquarium is a leader in science education and a voice for ocean conservation through extraordinary experiences and exhibitions, as well as comprehensive programs to promote science-based conservation solutions and public policy. Everything they do works in concert to protect the future of this blue planet. The Aquarium engages more than two million visitors and program participants annually. The Monterey Bay Aquarium believes that humankind can turn this tide. They envision a world in which the ocean is healthy, and people are committed to protecting the integrity of Earth's life-sustaining natural systems. To make this vision a reality, the Aquarium helps people know more, care more, and do more on behalf of the ocean. The Aquarium’s exhibits and programs introduce people from all walks of life to the wonders of the marine world, from Monterey Bay to the vast ocean beyond. As a leader in ocean conservation, they extend their impact by reaching beyond the Aquarium’s walls to inspire the public and policymakers to act on behalf of the ocean. The Monterey Bay Aquarium welcomes approximately 2 million annual visitors, has an annual operating budget of $113 million, and an endowment valued at $375 million. The Aquarium’s next CEO will be supported by a wide array of assets, including extraordinary facilities and real estate holdings, a cohesive and passionate Board of Trustees with 17 members, a talented and dedicated staff of over 500. The organization also benefits from close collaboration with its independent partner institution, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), a world leader in ocean research and technology, bringing together engineers and scientists to develop better tools, systems and methods for deep-ocean study. The Monterey Bay Aquarium has begun its search for a strategic leader with a deep passion for ocean conservation and a spirit of innovation and adaptability who will guide the organization into its next chapter. The Chief Executive Officer has responsibility for managing the strategic, scientific, experiential and programmatic, and financial sustainability and excellence of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The Aquarium’s next CEO will lead with an entrepreneurial mindset, with curiosity and humility, and with enthusiastic ambition to create memorable experiences that inspire, connect, and promote action to drive ocean conservation.

Requirements

The CEO will be able to articulate an inspiring vision for Monterey Bay Aquarium and align others with the organization’s strategy.
They will bring an entrepreneurial and adaptable approach to developing new, innovative ideas that will position the Aquarium for the future.
The CEO will share the Aquarium’s belief that equity is imperative to achieving the mission of the organization.
They will have a demonstrated track record of inclusive leadership, will lead with curiosity, integrity, and authenticity, and will build trust effectively with stakeholders internally and externally.
The Aquarium’s next CEO will bring a strong track record of team management at scale, including inspiring, attracting, retaining, and developing talent.
They will bring people together and foster a culture of both inclusion and accountability.
They will have experience developing and managing complex operations, budgets, and driving financial sustainability.
They will be decisive in working with leadership to set priorities, delegate responsibilities, create a collaborative culture, and allocate resources to ensure results.
The ideal candidate will possess the capacity to compellingly articulate the Aquarium’s mission, vision, and strategy to wide audiences regionally, nationally, and globally as well as within the organization.
A natural problem-solver, skilled in connecting with and working collaboratively with diverse constituencies, the CEO will demonstrate the humility and empathy necessary to build trust effectively and bring others along with them.
The next CEO of the Monterey Bay Aquarium will bring a commitment to science-based conservation, scientific integrity, and science education.
They will be highly collaborative and eager to partner with scientists, policy[1]makers, educators, businesses, and others locally, nationally, and globally.
They will demonstrate the capacity to exemplify the Aquarium’s vision and, with a passionate belief in conservation, the ability to lead the team to produce exceptional results in inspiring and advancing ocean conservation.
The CEO will demonstrate the ability to grow and diversify the Aquarium’s financial support through both fundraising and earned revenue streams at a significant scale.
They will have experience identifying, recruiting, and cultivating philanthropic supporters, making significant asks to secure major gifts, and pursuing entrepreneurial revenue opportunities to maximize impact and financial sustainability.
They will bring an ability to advance and grow an already large and complex membership program.
The ideal candidate will be able to confidently lead the team in executing the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s vision in an environment of ambiguity.
The CEO will have an entrepreneurial mindset and be both collaborative and decisive in setting high standards across all aspects of the Aquarium’s work.
They will partner with staff to set realistic goals and plans that are achievable and possess the clear capacity to assess the appropriate pace.

Responsibilities

Advance the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s strategic direction and communicate a compelling vision that inspires and motivates constituents to deepen their level of engagement with – and support of – the Aquarium.
Execute priorities and goals which amplify the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s core areas of mission focus across exhibitions and experiences, conservation and science, and education, ensuring the organization’s dynamism and uncovering opportunities for further excellence and impact.
Ensure accountability for effectiveness and alignment with Monterey Bay Aquarium’s core values.
Provide clear leadership for the team and foster an equitable and thriving organization with people at the center.
Nurture a high-performing, positive, and inclusive culture and recruit, develop, and retain strong and diverse talent, while ensuring that organizational objectives and defined goals are accomplished and celebrated.
Live with and model the values of humility, integrity, and authenticity as a leader.
Ensure the Aquarium continues to create innovative experiences that inspire, connect, and promote action, leveraging extraordinary and complex facilities that are expertly maintained.
Display entrepreneurial vigor, adaptability, and fiscal prudence in catalyzing revenue growth to advance the Aquarium’s mission, evaluating financial investment and optimizing impact.
Work closely with senior management in finance to implement sound fiscal management and assure financial sustainability.
Lead a robust fundraising program to grow contributed revenue from individuals, foundations, and corporations.
Work with staff to facilitate new strategic partnerships and increase funding.
Partner effectively from a nonpartisan position with governments, business, and stakeholders.
Work across the aisle to protect the ocean for future generations through effective policy and action to address climate change, end plastic pollution, protect ecosystems, improve seafood sustainability, and beyond.
Activate communities – locally, nationally, and globally – around climate resilience and approach conservation through the lens of environmental justice, advocating for both a healthy ocean and healthy communities worldwide.
Draw from their proven, authentic, and tangible commitment and set of experiences to advance equity as an imperative part of achieving the Aquarium’s mission, aiming for a high collaboration across teams and a strong and cohesive culture.
Develop a highly effective, transparent, and collaborative partnership with the Board of Trustees.